Flow meter and recorder.



E. S. COLE.

FLOW METER AND RECORDER.

APPLICATIoN FILED Nov. 21. .1913,

Patented Mayso, l1916.

3 SHEETS-.SHEET I.

' Maf/765565,'

E. s. COLE.

FLOW METER AND RECORDER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21,1913.

1,185,609. Patented Maysogm.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. S. COLE.` FLOWl METER ANDl RECORDER. APPLICATION FILED Nov. 21, |913.

" AENT on o EDWARD S. COLE, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

FLOWIMETER AND RECORDER.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD S. COLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Flow Meters and Recorders, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to iiow meters and recorders, and especially to flow meters and recorders particularly adapted for use in connection with the flow of water in the pipes or mains of water works systems.

Prominent objects of the invention are to provide a simple and practical device of the class specified; to secure accuracy under all conditions, and especially for low velocities of flow; toV avoid'v inaccuracies of all kinds, especially those due to friction; to secure simplicity of construction and operation; and to secure the foregoing and other ldesirable results in a simple and expeditious manner. I

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a View of a flow meter and recorder embodying my invention, together with connections of the same'with a pipe or main containing a flowing stream, vparts of the apparatus being shown in elevation and parts in vertical section; Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections taken on lines 2-2 and 3 3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4 4 in Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a view of one side of the apparatus; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a modified form; Figs. 7 and 8 are views of still further modifications.

Referring t0 the drawings I show a pipe or conduit 1, in which a stream is understood to be flowing in the direction of the arrow. I also show diagrammatically a Pitot tube arrangement involving the pipes 2 and 3, which have curved ends 4 and 5 respectively which are arranged to face in opposite directions, one up stream and ythe other down stream. The pipes 2 and 3 run to a flow meter and recorder 6; passing through intermediate connections which will be hereinafter explained. The instrument 6 is constructed with a case or box ofsome- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1916.

Application led November 21, 1913. Serial No. 802,208.

what irregular shape, as shown inthe drawings. A cover 7 is provided closing and covering an opening 8 in the top of the box 6, to permit access to the interior of the box or casing. The pipe 3 which may be called the down stream pipe, is extended to the cover 7 and connected therewith so that the down stream or static pressure of the stream in the conduit 1 is communicated to the interior of the box or casing 6. A pressure responsive device 10 is arranged within the box or casing and conveniently located more or less below the opening 8 and secured to the left hand wall of said box or casing,re ferring to Fig. 1. This device by preference consists of a series of expansible and contractible members or units 11-11, each comprising a bellows-like structure having flexible side plates or diaphragms provided with central apertures 12-12 so that an expansion and contraction of the device as a Whole is obtained by the expansion and contraction of the individual members or units, the total expansion and contraction of the entire device being the sum of the expansion and contraction of all of the individual members or units. The member 14 secured next to the wall of the box or casing 6, has only one flexible wall, the other being preferably straight and secured to the straight wall of the box or casing. The pipe 2 leading from` -nected with a pipe l5 which opens into the interior of the member 14, and thence communicates with the interior of the members 11-11 through the apertures 12-12 whereby the up stream or flow pressure in the conduit 1 is communicated to the interior of the pressure responsive device 10. A blowoii'l valve 16 is preferably secured to the casing and placed in communication with the interior of the member 14, whereby the air in said member may be blown od at any time throughthe valve 16. valves l717 are preferably secured to the tops of the units .1111, whereby the air in said units may be blown QE by manipulating said valves, this of course `when the device is not operating, the cover 7 having been removed.

As an arrangement for utilizing the move- Other blow-oif.

ment of the member 10 I show a swinging lever 18'pivotally mounted at 19, and pivotally connected with the outermost member 11 at 20. To the bottom of the lever or arm 18, a link 21 is pivotally connected at 22, and this link 21 in turn is pivotally connected at 23 with a pivoted swinging member 24 in the form of a permanent magnet which is pivotally supported near the side of the case upon a pivot 25. Thus an expansion and contraction of the member 1() will bring about a rotary or swinging movement on the part of the permanent magnet 24. Outside of the case and in close proximity thereto another permanent magnet 26 balanced with the inner magnet 24 is mounted so that obviously any movement of the magnet 24 will bring about a similar movement on the part of the outer magnet 26. Means are provided for transmitting this rotary movement on the part of the outer magnet, a convenient arrangement being shown and consisting of a gear segment 27 carried by the axle or f pivot 28 on which the magnet 26 is mounted. This segment 27 gears with a pinion 29 on a shaft 30, which shaft also carries a Spiral member 31, so that a rotation of the shaft 28 will bring about a rotation of the shaft 30 and spiral member 31. A bell crank lever member 33 is pivoted to the case of the device by pivot 34. One arm 35 of this bell crank extends over to the spiral 31 where its end engages said spiral, the end portion 36 of said spiral preferably serrated as at 37, and the end of the arm 35 having a point 38 for purposes to be hereinafter explained.

.The other arm 39 of said bell crank extends up and is provided with a toothed segment 40, which is adapted to engage a toothed wheel 41, mounted on a rotary shaft 42. The shaft 42 is understood to be rotated continuously by clockwork or other suitable mechanism, so that the segment 40 is repeatedly and intermittently lifted a small distance and then allowed to fall back. The end of the arm 39 is provided with a pen or pencil 43 adapted to act upon a record disk 44, or a record sheet mounted upon said disk, said disk being conveniently supported by a standard 45 mounted on top of the case 46. Thus it will oe seen that the intermittent lifting motion given the arm 39 by the toothed-wheel 41 will cause a rising and falling of the pencil 43, and this motion will be varied by the position of the spiral 31, since the arm 35 will drop when the arm 39 is released by the wheel 41 an vamount dependent upon the position of said spiral 31. If the spiral 31 has been rotated a small amount, the depression of the pencil 43 will not be large, but as the rotation of the spiral increases the fall of the pencil 43 upon release will obviously increase also because the arm 35 will be allowed to drop much farther.l In this way a record ofthe velocity flow in the conduit 1 is obtained, the motion of the spiral being dependent upon the extent of rotation or swinging movement on the part of the magnet 24, and this being controlled by the movement of the lever arm 18 in accordance with the extent of expansion or contraction of the member 10. When the velocity of the flowing stream is very low there will obviously be but very little motion on the part of the member 10, and also on the part of the magnet 24 and spiral 31. This small motion will be accurately interpreted by the end portion 36 of the spiral, and by serrating said end portion 36 and providing the arm 35 with a point or tooth adapted to engage the serrations on the spiral end 36, an accuracy of motion on the part of the pencil 43 for small variations in adjustment or movement of the spiral 31 is secured and thus a very high degree of accuracy on low velocities of the flowing stream is obtained. The spiral automatically corrects the movements of the member 10 so that the record formed is direct and does not require integration. The arm 39 is preferably jointed at 39a and provided with an adjusting screw 39b by which adjustment of the pencil or marker 43 may be obtained. The pipe 2 is shown running to an air chamber 53 having a blow-off valve 54 by which air may be drawn off from the apparatus, the pipe 15 being connected to the bottom of the air chamber 53 and runningv thence to the casing 6 as previously described. A by-pass arrangement is shown between the pipes 3 and 15. This conveniently consists of a cross pipe 55, containing a relief valve 56, as shown in Fig. 2. This valve is arranged to open upwardly and is controlled by a handle 57.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 I provide a lever arm 18 generally similar to the arm 18 of the previously described apparatus, but having its upper end provided with an extension 18b preferably screw threaded and carrying a set nut 47. Also the .lower end of said arm 18a is bent laterally at 18 and provided with a Weight 48 made adjustable by said screw 49 along said extension 18C. In this way the weight 48 will tend to counterbalance the movement of the member 10 and this extent of counterbalancing can be varied as desired by shifting the weight 48 and the counterbalance nut 47. By such arrangement therewill be but little opposition to the movement of the member 10 on low velocities, but when the velocity is greater and as it increases these counterbalancing weights will tend to oppose and limit the movement of said member 10.

In Fig. 7 I show a device constructed more simply than the preceding apparatus, and capable of being made more cheaply its ends directly engaging a spiral 31a, which l is similar to the spiral 31, but iswithout the serrated'end portion .of the latter' spiral. The spiral 31a is mounted directly on the l shaft 28 which carries the magnet 26. The

other end of the lever 50 is provided with a pencil 51' acting upon a record sheet or disk 52. Thus considerable mechanism is done away with making the device simpler and less expensive, but this 'is done at the sacriiice of accuracy on low velocities.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 8 I show an arrangement by which a relief valve is automatically operated by the movement of the pressure responsive vmember 10. In this arrangement` a le'ver 18d isconnected with the member 10 which is operated in the previously described manner by the expansion and contraction of the member 10. This arm or lever 18d is provided atits upper pivoted end with a collar 62 provided with two'radial projections 63 and 64. A bell crank 65 is pivotally mounted at 66 and one of its arms is located in position tobe engaged by the projection 64. A push rod 67 is pivotally connected to a bell crank 68, the other arm of which is adapted to act upon a valve 69 normally held in an upper position by a'spring 70. IVhen the valve 3fL is open the arm or lever 18d will be swung very materially outward and this will cause the valve 69 to be depressed suiiciently to 'open the port which it controls, whereupon the air in the diaphragm or pressure responsive device members rises and lifts the same and passes out through the valve 3a.

Itwill be understood that changes and modifications can be made Without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of pressure responsive mechanism having a"vibratory movementuponv changes or variatlons -1n the pressure,

a magnetic member, means whereby said member 1s mechamcally actuated by the vibratory movement of sald pressure responsive mechanism, and a second magnetic.

member magnetically actuated by said rst magnetic member.y l

2. The combination of pressure responsive 'mechanism having one or more flexible elements adapted to become flexed and so to produce a vibratory movement upon changes or varmtlons 1n the pressure, a magnetic membe means whereby said member is mechanically` actuated by the vibratory movement of said mechanism, and a second magnetic member magnetically actuated by said first mentioned magnetic member.

3. The combination of pressure responsive posed between said member and the other magnetic member, and recording mechanism' operated by said second mentioned magnetic member.

4. The combination of a hollow pressure responsive device adapted to expand and contract upon variations in pressure of Huid within it, a magnetic member, means wherebysaid `magnetic member is mechanically operated by the expansion and contraction of said device and a second magnetic member magnetically actuated by said first mentioned magnetic member.

5. The combination of a hollow pressure responsive device involving a plurality of flexible diaphragm bellows-like' units arranged side by side and communicating with one another, said device being expansible and contractible by variations f in pressure within it, a magnetic member, mechanism `for actuating said magnetic member by the expansion and contraction of said device,

. and a second magneticmember magnetically actuated by said first mentioned magnetic member.

7 A device of the class specified compris. v

ing in combination, a pressure responsive device having a flexible member, a swinging arm. arranged for actuation by said member, a magnet arranged for actuation by said swinging arm, and a second magnet coperating with said first mentioned magnet and recording means actuated by said second mentioned magnet.

sive 'y device having a flexible member arranged within said case, a swinging arm actuated by said device, a movable magnet actuated by said arm, said magnet and arm Jbeing inside ofsaid case, and a second magnet outside of said case and arranged to be actuated by said first mentioned magnet.

9. A device of the classspecified comprising in combination, a case, a pressure rei 95. 6. A device of the class specified, compris.

8. A device of the class specified compris-V mg 1n combination, case, a pressure responv sponsive device having a flexible member arranged within said case, a swinging arm actuatedby said device, avmovable magnet actuated by said'arm, said magnet and arm being inside of said case, a second magnet outside of said case and arranged to be actuated by said first mentioned magnet,

and mechanism actuated by said .second ment upon changesl or variations in the presmentioned ma et. Y v "10. A device of the class specledzcom- 'prising in. combination, a case, al pressuref responsive' device having a leXible` member arranged within said case, a swinging arm actuated by said device, a movable magnet* f actuated by said arm, said magnet and arm being inside ofsaid case, a 'second magnetl outside of said -ca-se and 1 arranged .to be actuated by said first mentioned magnet, and

recording mechanism actuatedby second mentioned magnet.

11. A device `oithe class specified comprising in" combination, a pressure ..res pon vsive device -having a plurality of members each of which iscomposedof a pair of dexi- M ble plates or diaphragms, andmagnetic means arranged for mechanical actuation by one end of said pressure responsive device;

prising iny combination, a pressure 'responsive device -`involving a plurality of bellowsshaped, lexible diaphragm units, arranged 'connected with the interior of said pressure '.responslve'device, 'and a. pipe facing down side by side vand communicating with one another, a swinging member connectedv with one end of said device, a magnetic member -connected with saidswinging member, a case containing all of said' mechanism, vand a -V 30,

" arrangedtocoperate with; the magnetic l member inside of the same.

magnetic'memberoutside ofsaid case and 13. A deviceof the class specified coml vprising in combination', a pressure respon- 35' shaped, flexible diaphragm umts, arranged" side,by .si de and communicating Withone another, a swinging member connected with sive device involving a plurality of bellows one end of said device, va magnetic member connected with said swingingmember, a- 1 case containing all of 'said.- mechanism, a

' magnetic ,member outside of said case and Sal-,ranged to coperate with the vmagnetic member inside of the same, and recording 'mechanism actuated by said second mentionedmagnetic member.

let. :The combination of a hollow `pressure responsiveydevice involving a plurality of em'ble diaphragm bellows-like units arranged side by side and communicating. 4with one another,'said device Lbeing expansible 4and .contractibleA by v ariationsin pressure` within it, la. `magnetic member, m'echanislln` yfor-actuating' said magnetic member by the expansion and contraction 'of said device, `anda second magnetic membermagnetically actuated' by said iirst 4mentioned magnetic `member,v the vmechanism for'actuating said first' f mentionedl magnetic member being adapted to change v'the expanding and con- Said magnetic vmember,

sive mechanismv hayin'ga -vibratoryv movesure, a. magnetic member-means whereby saidmember is mechanicallyactuated by the vibratory movement of saidpressure-responprisinga case, a'p'ressul're responsive device .arranged therein and providedwith dem'ble .diaphragm members, a magnetic. member also arranged `within said case in combinaswinging motion on the partrof said iznag-l netic member, anda second magnetic member magneticallyactuated by said first magtien with mechanismwhereby said magnetic member actuated bysaid pressure vresponsivedevice, av second magnetic member arranged outside of said case and coperating with said. first mentioned magnetic member,

mechanism" actuated by vsaid second men'- tionedfmagnetic' member, av conduit for a flowing stream,1a pipe facing up-stream and connected-.with the yinterior of sive mechanism,l a magnetic member actuated mechanically by said mechanism, and

a second magnetic vmember actuated magnetlcally by sa1d"ii1'st mention ed member,

and recording mechanism arranged for actuationf by said second mentioned magnetic member. i

18. lThe combination of a casing, a hollow expansible and cohtractible 4member mount- 'ed .in said casing, means whereby varying Huid pressures maybe communicated tothe 'interior of saidcasing and1 also tol the in terior of said hollow member, a magnetic member located in' said casing, mea-ns in llt Ssaid'ca'sing but outside offsaidohollowmemf v ber wherebyv the expansion and contraction of vsaid yhollow member actuates said mag-L M netic member, and a Second magnetic member located 'outside of said casing and arranged to be actuated; by said first mentloned magneticmember.y f.

, 19. The combination of a casing, a hol 1 low lexpansible and1f 'contractible member mounted :in said casing,- "jmeans whereby varying duid pressures maybe' communicatedto theinteriorof said casing and also to the interior of said hollowfmembena vniagi-1etic fm'ember located in said casing,

means in said casing but outside of said hollowmemberwhereby the expansion and contraction of said hollow member actuates said magnetic member, a? second magnetic memf berlocated outside of said casin and ar' `ranged .to be actuatedjby said di' tioned magnetic member, and recording st menmechanism arranged to be actuated by said second mentioned magnetic member.

20. The combination of a casing, a hollow member located within saidV casing and expansible and contractible upon variations inv casing and arranged to be actuated magnetically of said first' mentioned magnetic membe 21. The combination of a casing, a hollow 'member located within the casing, and composed of a plurality of eXpansible and contractible bellows-like units secured side by side and communicating with one another, the unitv at one end being secured to one wall of the casing and the unit at the other end beingl free to move in a vibratory manner inA accordance with variations in pressure in the casing and hollow member, a4

magnetic member mounted for swinging movement within the casing, means whereby the vibratory movement of the free end of the hollow member swings said magnetic member, and a second magnetic member located outside of the casing and magnetically actuated by the lirst magnetic member.

22. A device of the class' specified comprising a spiral arranged for-rotary movement, means responsive to pressure variatlons combined with mechanism for rotating said spiral, ajnd a recording marking de? tions combined with mechanism for rotating said spiral, and a recording marking device actuated bysaid spiral, said marking device comprising an arm resting upon and actuated'by said spiral and having its opposite end provided with a marlnng device, in combination with means for intermittently liftl ing said arm and permitting the same to drop, said mechanism comprising a rotating toothed wheel and a toothed segment carried by said Varm and coperating with said wheel.,

24. The combination of a pressure responsive device, a rotary spiral combined with means whereby said spiral is rotated by said pressure responsive device, and an arm cooperating with said spiral, said arm being provided with a point and the free end of arm. provided with a markin y means for intermittently lifting said bell crank and permitting the same to drop, saidV said spiral being provided with serrations adapted to coperate with said point.

25. The combination with a pressure rel sponsive device and means for Asecuring a rotary movement therefrom, a rotary spiral connected with said means to bring about rotation of said spiral, and a bell crank having one arm coperating with said spiral, and the other arm-provided with a marking de-y vice, and means for intermittently lifting said bell crank and permitting the same to drop.

26.' The combination of a rotary shaft provided with a magnet 26,.a gear segment 27 mounted upon said shaft, a second rotary` shaft provided with a spiral 31, and also lprovided with a pinion meshing with said gear segment, a bell crank having one arm coperating with said spiral andthe other arm provided with a marking device, and means for intermittently lifting said bell crank and permitting the same to drop.

27. The combination of a rotary shaft provided with a magnet 26, a gear segment 27 mounted upon said shaft, a second rotary shaft provided with a spiral 81, and also provided with a pinion meshing with said gear segment, a bell crank having one arm coperating with said spiral and the other device, and

means comprising a rotary toothed wheel and a toothed segment carried by said last mentioned arm and coperating with said wheel.

28. A device of the class specified comprising a hollow pressure responsive device, a valve controlling communication between the exterior and interior of said device, and means whereby actuation of said device controls said valve. i o

29. The combination of a hollow pressure responsive device, a valve controlling communication between the exterior and interior of said device, a lever arrangement controlling said valve, and a pivoted arm actuated by said pressureresponsive device and arranged to control said 'lever arrangement.

30. A device-'of the class specified comprising a case, a pressure responsive device arranged therein and provided with iiexible diaphragm members, a magnetic member also arranged within said case in combina- 4tion with mechanism whereby said magnetic member is actuated by said pressure responsive dev1ce, a second magnetlc member 4arranged outslde of sald case, and coperating with said first magnetic member, and mechanism vactuated by said second magnetic member.

31. In a device of thefclass specified, the combination of a pressure responsive device, responsive to changes in iuid pressure and 

